Feb. 20 |
While rebirth occurs gradually
from life to life,
rebirth occurs swiftly
from moment to moment too.
– Ignoramusan
In the 12 links of dependent origination (十二因缘) which explain how rebirth occurs, ignorance (无明) is the root cause. How did...

Jan. 1 |
One night in a small and lifeless town, a slightly depressed and drunk man puts on a makeshift gorilla costume and rampages through it. He then awakens to news of a Bigfoot sighting in the neighbourhood. Embarrassed yet intrigued by the attention it...

Dec. 26 |
Whenever I see beings who are wicked in nature, and overwhelmed by violent negative actions and suffering, I shall hold such rare ones dear, as if I had found a precious treasure.
– Geshe Langri Tangpa
Reflections On ‘The Eight Verses Of Thought...

Dec. 26 |
‘The Kominsky Method’ is a bittersweet drama series on the challenges of two old friends growing older together, as they look out for each other while musing on life. Sandy Kominsky is an acting coach, who just lost a dear friend to sickness....

Dec. 19 |
How can a spy truly love a spy? To make it more confounding, how can a very ‘good’ spy love another very ‘good’ spy? After all, a very good spy is also a very good actor. Such acting goes beyond a mere stage. Overflowing before...

Dec. 12 |
Question: What is the meaning of ‘Tathāgata’?
Answer: ‘Tathāgata’ is Sanskrit for ‘Thus Come One’ (如来), which means ‘as if came; also as if gone’. This is an alternative term for addressing Buddhas....

Nov. 27 |
The very shortsighted
must learn to see
much further.
– Shilashanti
The Kukkuravatika Sutta records how Puṇṇa (of the Koliyans), an ox-duty ascetic, and Seniya the naked dog-duty ascetic learnt the error of their ways through the Buddha. Prior...

Oct. 11 |
‘The Darkness’ is based on a ‘myth’ that Anasazi Indians bound demons to rocks hidden in underground caves. If removed, they will take the shape of a crow, snake, coyote, wolf and buffalo, before tricking and dragging children...

Sep. 13 |
Spiritual cultivation is but the
actualisation of our pure potential
and deactivation of our defiled habits.
– Shilashanti
When we see those worse off, such as the very poor and sick, we usually genuinely wish that they be free from suffering, to be...

Sep. 13 | The Buddha’s first teaching
was a message with the greatest hope –
telling us that all beings have Buddha-nature.
– Shilashanti
There is Buddha-nature in every sentient being‘s mind, no matter how many negative actions living beings...

Aug. 22 |
‘The Shining’ (1980) is classic mystery horror, perhaps due to it being somewhat scripted to be ambiguous? A man goes to an isolated hotel to be its winter caretaker. He hears about a previous caretaker, who seemed to have had a murderous...